Most Discussed

Microsoft showcases Windows Phone 8 updates at event

updated 02:09 pm EDT, Mon October 29, 2012

by MacNN Staff

Year of ad-free Pandora, data management system added to WP8

In a media event today, Microsoft officially revealed the newest version of Windows for mobile phones, Windows Phone 8. Joe Belfiore, Microsoft's Windows Phone Program manager, took the stage early to explore the OS' new features, as well as to explore how Windows Phone 8 would help users manage their data plans, control access for whole families, and manage their social media activities. Belfiore also made certain to highlight the app ecosystem for the new OS, as well as how Microsoft has tailored its platform to allow users to personalize their devices with a range of apps and features.

Belfiore noted that the Windows Phone Store now hosts over 120,000 apps. That total lags considerably behind the much larger app stores for Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms, but Belfiore stated that Windows Phone would have 46 of the top 50 apps used on other platforms. He pointed out Temple Run, Urban Spoon, Angry Birds Star Wars, and Jetpack Joyride as indicative of the sort of top-selling app that would appear on Microsoft's new platform. Belfiore also made special note of music radio service Pandora, revealing that Windows Phone 8 users would have ad-free access to the app for a full year.

In addition to the aforementioned apps, Facebook and Twitter will be providing new apps for WP8, and Microsoft's Skype will run constantly in the background of Windows Phone 8, allowing for messages and calls to be received even when the app isn't being used.

To improve mobile Internet usage for its customers, a component called Data Sense uses a combination of data compression, data usage tracking, and Wi-Fi hotspots to educate the user in where the data allowance is going, as well as preventing unnecessary data allowance usages. A tab marked App Usage explains how each application on the handset uses data, showing both Wi-Fi and cellular usages separately. As the month goes on and the user gets closer to their data limit, the phone will ratchet up the amount of compression being used in pages being viewed, something that Microsoft claims will give users 45-percent more usage of their data allowance than they would have had otherwise.

A guest user account has also been included in Windows Phone 8, specifically for children. Going under the name Kid's Corner, the account allows users to choose what applications and media can be shown. To demonstrate the new feature, Microsoft brought on stage actress Jessica Alba, who related an anecdote in which her child accidentally posted to her Twitter account. Kid's Corner, Alba and Belfiore explained, would prevent that from happening thanks to its parental controls.

The People hub from earlier Windows Phone iterations has been changed into Rooms, where group-based messaging, appointments and notes are shared among a number of people. It was demonstrated to have some cross-platform connectivity, with an iPhone being used to view calendar appointments from a single room, though an Android version was not mentioned.

The cross-platform theme continued into a talk about moving documents, photos and music across multiple Windows devices, SkyDrive use, connectivity with the Xbox, and the OneNote productivity app. Xbox Music also received a mention, with the Xbox Music Pass letting users stream from a 30 million-strong song catalog.

TAGS

0 Comments

Login Here

Please note that it takes a couple of minutes for new comments to be visible in this area.

&nbsp

Now AAPL Stock: 113.95 ( + 1.83 )

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer163d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

163d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry163d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting163d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage163d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor164d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE